Wiltshire Council (21 002 690)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 23-Mar-2022

Summary: Ms M complains, on behalf of three young adults, the Council gave them misleading advice about applying for social housing. The Council was at fault as it failed to manage their expectations about the likely success of their application given restrictions imposed by local housing providers. It failed to proactively address why they were not being considered for properties and to ensure they understood this. The Council has agreed to make a payment to remedy the distress and frustration this caused them. It has also agreed to review its procedures to be clearer about the likely success of applications from unrelated adults.

Kent County Council (21 006 335)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 23-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr D complained the Council’s Social Worker communicated poorly with him and failed to progress his housing application. As a result, he said he experienced distress and uncertainty. We found no fault in how the Council handled Mr D’s care support, nor his application for supported accommodation. It reached decisions it was entitled to make, so we cannot criticise the merits of its decisions.

London Borough of Hackney (21 016 820)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Assessment and care plan 22-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the occupational therapy service. This is because we are unlikely to find evidence of fault.

West Sussex County Council (21 008 027)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 22-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr B says the Council made the wrong decision on ordinary residence, which has left his family without any adult social care support. The Council took legal advice to decide Ms C’s ordinary residence; so, we cannot question or criticise the Council’s decision as it followed the correct process. The Ombudsman cannot decide where Ms C is ordinarily resident. There is an ongoing dispute which will decide who is responsible to meet Ms C’s needs. The Council believed another council was meeting the family’s needs. The Council made proper and timely referrals and shared information with the other council to allow that to happen. There is no fault by the Council.

Devon County Council (21 017 434)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Assessment and care plan 22-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate Mr B’s complaint about the Council’s assessment of his care. This is because there is not enough evidence of fault with the actions taken by the Council to warrant an Ombudsman investigation.

Surrey County Council (21 005 962)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 21-Mar-2022

Summary: There was no fault in the way the Council respected Mr X’s wishes not to accept a further package of care: Mr X had capacity to make his own decisions about his care.

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council (21 007 337)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 21-Mar-2022

Summary: Mr B says the Council failed to provide any intervention or support for Ms C despite his family repeatedly asking for help. There is no fault by the Council.

Derbyshire County Council (21 010 325)

Statement Upheld Assessment and care plan 21-Mar-2022

Summary: The Council acknowledges there were delays when Ms A requested help for her mother Mrs X. The Council has now apologised and taken action to remedy the consequent injustice to Mrs X. It also agrees to make a payment in recognition of the frustration and loss of dignity caused by the delay in responding and increasing Mrs X’s care, and consider ways in which her personal hygiene needs can be better met .

Suffolk County Council (21 011 630)

Statement Not upheld Assessment and care plan 21-Mar-2022

Summary: There was no fault by the Council in a complaint that a mental health assessment of the complainant’s son was not properly conducted.

Oxfordshire County Council (21 014 685)

Statement Closed after initial enquiries Assessment and care plan 21-Mar-2022

Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the circumstances surrounding Dr A’s detention under Section 2. The Trust and Council have already investigated the matter and acted to improve their services. It is unlikely an Ombudsmen’s investigation would achieve more.